Today in High Prairie! See what’s happening today in town, celebrity birthdays, local history, world history and your daily horoscope. Please send your birthdays and community events to southpeacenews@hotmail.com and/or spneditor@outlook.com.

What’s Happening Today – August 3, 2024

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Kinuso Farmer’s Market at Kinuso Curling Rink.

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Farmer’s Market at Enilda W.I.  Hall.

Today’s Celebrity Birthdays – August 3, 2024

1811 – Elisha Otis, Elevator Safety Genius

1860 – William Dickson, Inventor of Motion Camera

1900 – John T. Scopes, Convicted in “Monkey Trial”

1911 – Alex McCrindle, Star Wars Actor

1918 – Larry Haines, The Odd Couple Actor

1921 – Marilyn Maxwell, East of Sumatra Actress

1926 – Tony Bennett, American Singing Icon

1926 – Gordon Scott, Tarzan Series Actor

1938 – George Memmoli, Hello Larry Actor – Earl

1940 – Martin Sheen, The West Wing Actor

1941 – Beverly Lee, Soldier Boy Singer

1941 – Martha Stewart, American Business Magnate

1945 – Ron Hendren, Entertainment Tonight Host

1950 – Jo Marie Payton, Family Matters Actress

1950 – John Landis, Thriller Video Producer

1961 – Lee Rocker, Stray Cats Bassist

1963 – James Hetfield, Metallica Rocker

1967 – John Femia, Square Pegs Actor

1977 – Tom Brady, New England Patriot

1979 – Evangeline Lilly, The Hobbit Actress

This Day in Local History – August 3, 2024

Aug. 3, 1962: High Prairie’s oldest citizen, 95-year-old Joe Mearon, celebrates his birthday.

Aug. 3, 1977: Wagner Lumber wins best commercial float as the annual Elks Stampede kicks off with a parade.

Aug. 3, 1983: South Peace News reports a thumb injury to boxer Stan Cunningham will keep him from competing at the Western Canada Summer Games.

Aug. 3, 1983: The Park Hotel float wins best commercial float as the annual Elks Stampede kicks off with a parade.

Aug. 3, 1985: Premier Don Getty visits High Prairie and promises agriculture is a priority.

Aug. 3, 1986: Dave Temple wins his fourth straight High Prairie Open Golf Tournament title. Slave Lake’s Deanne Quintal wins the women’s title and Nampa’s Joey Mayowski the junior crown.

Aug. 3, 1988: South Peace News reports Slave Lake organizes to block the proposed AVC-CVC merger.

Aug. 3, 1988: Spendiff Transport wins best commercial float as the annual Elks Stampede kicks off with a parade.

Aug. 3, 1988: Officials at Winagami Lake Provincial Park ban swimming for the first of five days because of excessive algae blooms on the lake.

Aug. 3, 1993: Faye Stewart opens the Great Canadian Dollar Store in the High Prairie Laundromat Building.

Aug. 3, 1993: AVC employee John Terryll Delorme, 42, dies after his vehicle leaves the road and hits a tree three km north of Grouard.

Aug. 3, 1994: Monahan Ford wins best commercial float as the annual Elks Stampede kicks off with a parade. Over 6,000 attend the Stampede.

Aug. 3, 2000: Peter Keay’s home run gives the hometown High Prairie Playboys a 7-6 win in the third game of Valleyview and District Men’s Fastball League final over the eight-time defending champion Valleyview Fountain Tire Eagles.

Aug. 3, 2001: Rob Kessler and his brother Glenn purchase High Prairie Fas Gas.

Aug. 3, 2005: Kristina Beaudette wins the title of Elks Pro Rodeo Queen during the second day of the Elks Stampede.

Aug. 3, 2005: South Peace News reports Peavine Metis Settlement is considering testing its employees for drugs.

Aug. 3, 2005: South Peace News reports Fish and Wildlife is considering tougher regulations for fishing tournaments next year on Lesser Slave Lake. Public concerns over fishing tournaments prompt the action.

Aug. 3, 2005: M.D. of Big Lakes begins studies to see how serious the grasshopper problem may become.

Aug. 3, 2005: A Peace River couple begin a search for a Good Samaritan after they are rescued by a stranger after they hit a moose near Triangle.

Aug. 3, 2010: Callista Gomes, 5, wins the grand prize of Little Tikes Jump and Slide Bouncer in the High Prairie and District Children’s Resource Council Summer Fun Raffle.

Aug. 3, 2010: St. Mark’s Anglican Church members and staff from the local Agriculture Financial Services Corporation hold the annual pancake breakfast to begin the High Prairie Elks Stampede.

Aug. 3, 2010: The names of Alex Komisar, Violet Komisar, Bernadine Kruger and Fritz Krueger are added to the High Prairie Monument.

Aug. 3-4, 2010: The 50th edition of the High Prairie Elks Pro Rodeo occurs. Buchanan Lumber’s float wins Grand Champion – Best Parade Entry. Parade marshals are Pete Zahacy, Frank Pratt, Bill Eckel, Tippy Jacobsen, Ray Duchesneau and Verda Kozie.

Aug. 3, 2011: Michelle Henkel is crowned High Prairie Elks Pro Rodeo Queen.

Aug. 3, 2011: One person dies and another is injured after their vehicle collides with a moose on Highway 2A four km north of Highway 2. Names are not released.

Aug. 3, 2011: South Peace News publishes a photo of Mary Zabolotniuk, who was recognized for her 14 years of service as Zone 8 seniors activity director for the Alberta 55+ Seniors Games.

Aug. 3, 2011: South Peace News reports on Leonard Sahlin’s efforts to preserve the last telegraph pole on the old line running from Police Point to Hudson’s Hope, B.C.

Aug. 3, 2011: Gift Lake’s Randy Anderson wins the annual Elks ATV Raffle. Kinuso’s Lexi Plante wins the Pony Raffle.

Aug. 3, 2012: Before leaving High Prairie, long-time rodeo clown Ricky Ticky Wanchuk says the High Prairie Elks Stampede is one of the best.

Aug. 3, 2016: South Peace News features The Farm Truck, a new catering business operated by Diane Perry, Corey Perry, and Morgan Nesom.

Aug. 3, 2016: Garry Peterson arrives to act as acting CAO for Big Lakes County until Sept. 30.

Aug. 3, 2019: Joussard resident Peter Nygaard wins the Green Party nomination for Peace River – Westlock for the Oct. 21 federal election.

This Day in World History – August 3, 2024

1492 – Christopher Columbus sets sail on his first voyage.

1527 – First known letter sent from North America [Newfoundland].

1798 – Battle of the Nile: Brits forces French fleet to surrender.

1900 – Firestone Tire and Rubber Company founded.

1914 – First seaworthy ship passes through the Panama Canal.

1921 – First aerial crop dusting in Troy, Ohio, to kill caterpillars.

1934 – Adolf Hitler merges the offices of German Chancellor and President.

1944 – Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp gases 4,000 gypsies.

1949 – The National Basketball Association is formed.

1958 – USS Nautilus reaches North Pole [first submarine to do so].

1958 – The Billboard Hot 100 is founded.

1960 – Niger gains independence from France.

1963 – Allan Sherman releases “Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh”.

1966 – South African government bans Beatle records.

1967 – James Law rides entire NYC subway in 22 hrs 12 minutes.

1970 – Mairiam Hargrave passes her driving test on 40th try.

1971 – Paul McCartney announces formation of his group Wings.

1977 – Radio Shack introduces the TRS-80 computer.

1978 – 11th Commonwealth Games open in Edmonton.

1983 – John Sain of South Bend, Indiana, builds 3.91 m house of cards.

1990 – 98.8°F [37.1C] in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire [UK record].

1994 – 102.4°F [39.1°C] in Tokyo Japan: record.

2001 – The Princess Diaries, starring Anne Hathaway, is released.

2006 – Barry Bonds’ 715th MLB home run ball [one more than Babe Ruth].

Today’s Horoscopes – August 3, 2024

Aries [March 21 – April 20] – Upsets in the home could occur today! You and other members of your household are on edge and liable to snap at the least provocation! Someone could get all flustered over a minor problem and storm out! Do not worry! At day’s end everyone should see events in their proper perspective, and all be friends again! Hang in there!

Taurus [April 21 – May 21] – Expected calls or deliveries may prove more trouble than they are worth! You could get involved in endless games of phone tag, and deliveries might come when you are out! This can be avoided if you are prepared! Make sure everyone knows what you are expecting so they can watch for it! Tell people the best times to phone and be available at those times! Do not worry! You will manage!

Gemini [May 22 – June 21] – A temporary delay in receiving some expected funds might force you to postpone a much-needed purchase! Do not make yourself crazy over this! It is not worth the stress! The delay is disheartening, but it is not a cancellation! Your money will arrive, and you will be able to go ahead with your plans! In the meantime, keep yourself busy! Hang in there!

Cancer [June 22 – July 22] – Some older people, perhaps your parents, might be too vocal in their assessment of how you are handling a situation! You are particularly sensitive today, and far less tolerant of criticism than usual! Do not lash out! Causing a rift will not solve anything! Change the subject and take whatever course of action you feel is best!

Leo [July 23 – Aug. 23] – Beware that creative efforts involving modern technology, such as computer graphics, recording, or film, might suffer from “too many cooks.” Everyone has a different idea of how things should be handled! If this is your project, make sure everyone knows you are the boss! If you have partners, discuss the situation rationally with them! Do not sabotage your enterprise because of disagreements! Talk it over!

Virgo [Aug. 24 – Sept. 22] – In spite of the leaps and bounds you have taken over the last several months, a slump could set in as you start to doubt your ability to attain your goals! A disheartening and unexpected setback may have occurred, but you have never let this sort of thing stop you before! Do not fall into this trap now! Brace yourself, reassess your methods, and get back in the saddle!

Libra [Sept. 23 – Oct. 23] – Are you waiting to hear some important news? Significant career matters may be involved! This is not a good day to sit around waiting! Your call will probably come late, when you least expect it! Turn on your voicemail, get dressed, and go out and do something else for a while! Otherwise, you could well drive yourself crazy hoping for the news! Hang in there!

Scorpio [Oct. 24 – Nov. 22] – This is not a good day to travel, especially by air! Long lines at the ticket counter, endless delays, and lost luggage could be the result! This may not even be a good day to plan a trip, although you can consider your options! If you must fly today, get to the airport early, travel light, and take something good to read! That will make it bearable!

Sagittarius [Nov. 23 – Dec. 21] – A friend or colleague involved in an enterprise with you could be inhibited in some way by lack of money! This might involve some unexpected adjustment on your part, perhaps finding someone else to temporarily fill in! It is a pain, but you and your colleagues will manage, and your friend should have it together in time! Find a way to work around the situation! Hang in there!

Capricorn [Dec. 22 – Jan. 20] – Career responsibilities may require a temporary separation from a love partner today! This is apt to be upsetting and rather disheartening, but there is likely nothing you can do about it except work as quickly as you can so you can finish and get back to your partner! Make sure your friend knows what is going on! You do not want to cause any more upset!

Aquarius [Jan. 21 – Feb. 18] – Travel arrangements may have to be put off because of unexpected developments that keep you where you are! You may be worried about the consequences, but do not waste your energy! You will be able to make the necessary trip and accomplish whatever you are hoping to do – just not today! Worry will only stress you out! The only productive way to deal with this is to keep moving!

Pisces [Feb. 19 – March 20] – You may feel especially lonely, overworked, and passionate today, and therefore longing for the company of your romantic partner! But responsibilities involving you both could well be keeping you apart! This could be more than frustrating – it could make you gloomy! Do not let that happen! Concentrate on your work and finish before evening! You will see your friend then, if possible!